Slotted ice skate blade



Jan. 22, 1963 L. l. NoRGlEL. 3,074,733

SLOTTED ICE SKATE BLADE Filed June 13, 1961 lllIlI-l )llIlIlI-llg.

. /l) muuu Il Il Il Il Illl IVR/] Il Il II Il Il llllllllllll j@ zg? @.55 j 4 fff 70W J5 fa w45 JSM @MLU/j@ m I. N035?? United States Patent O 3,074,733 SLOTTED ICE SKATE BLADE Leo I. Norgiel, 7621 W. Morrow Circle, Dearborn, Mich. Filed June 13, 1961, Ser. No. 116,834 8 Claims. (Cl. 280-11.18)

The present invention broadly relates to ice skate blades and more particulariy to an improved ice skate blade incorporating a series of transverse slots of a controlled size, configuration, and spacing along the lower skating edge thereof providing therewith improved skating characteristics.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved ice skate blade construction employing a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots in the skating edge thereof which are of a controlled size and configuration so as to enhance the skating characteristics thereof and decrease the frictional coeicient between the blade and surface of the ice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved slotted ice skate blade incorporating a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots in the skating edge thereof and a series of depressions disposed adjacent to said slots which substantially decrease the frictional characteristics between the ice skate blade and the surface of the ice.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved slotted ice skate blade incorporating a plurality of longitudinally lspaced transverse slots in the skating edge thereof which facilitates the controlled execution by the skater of a series of artistic maneuvers including arcuate and spiral patterns in a forward as well as a backward skating position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved slotted ice skate blade employing a corrosion resistant steel alloy incorporating a plurality of longituindally spaced transverse slots in the skating edge thereof and which skate is of economical `design and manufacture, of high strength and long useful life, and which provides improved skating performance.

Other objects and advantages of the present linvention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevation view of a `slotted ice skate blade constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the skate blade shown in FIGURE l and illustrating the longitudinal spacing of the transverse slots therein;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of one of the slots of the ice skate blade yshown in FIG- URE l and encircled by a dotted line indicated at 3;

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the ice skate blade and slot shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and illustrating an alternate version of the cutting edges of the ice skate blade;

FIG. 6 is a bottom View of the slotted ice skate blade illustrating a variable longitudinal spacing of the transverse slots therealong;

FIG. 7 is a bottom View of still vanother alternate embodiment of the slotted ice skate blade incorporating a series of recesses disposed adjacent to each of the transverse slots along the skating edge thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the configuration of the recesses disposed adjacent the transverse slots shown in FIG. 7 and encircled by a dotted line indicated at 8;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of the ice skate blade incorporating a recess adjacent to a transverse slot therein as shown in FIG. 8 and taken substantially along the line 8-8 thereof, and

FIG. l0 is a fragmentary bottom view of the skating edge of a slotted ice skate blade similar to that shown in FIG. 8 but employing a recess adjacent to each side of the transverse slots therein. f

Referring now in detail to the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGURES l to 4, a slotted ice skate blade generally indicated at 20 comprises an elongated blade 22 having a rear support member 24 integrally aixed thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to the upper end of which a heel mounting plate 26 is securely fastened. A central support member 28 extends upwardly from and is integrally affixed to the blade 22 intermediate the heel and toe portions thereof to the upper end of which the rear portion of a toe mounting plate 30 is securely fastened. The forward end portion of the toe mounting plate 30 is securely mounted on the upper end of an up-turned support member 32 integrally aiiixed to the forward or toe portion of the blade 22.*The lower portion of the up-turned support member 32 is provided with a plurality of serrations or teeth 34 therealong for engaging the ice as the ice skate blade is rocked onto its toe facilitating stopping and the execution of sharp maneuvers.

While the specific ice skate blade shown in the drawings is of the figure skating type, it will be yappreciated by those skilled in the art that the provision of a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots along the skating edge thereof is equally applicable to other type ice skates such as hockey skates, racing skates, and the like. In addition, the inclusion of the transverse slots is equally applicable to ice skate blades having substantially straight parallel sides as it is to the symmetrically curved contour of the ice skate blades shown in the drawings.

The base or skating edge 36 of the blade 22 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots 3S of a controlled Width and depth which are disposed at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the blade 22. The incorporation of the transverse slots 38 along at least a portion of the length of the blade provides for a surprising increase in the glide characteristics 4of the blade and imparts a feeling of buoyancy as a result of the hydrodynamic characteristics thereof. The transverse slots 38 of the exemplary ice skate blade shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 are disposed in substantially equal longitudinally spaced intervals along the skating edge 36 extending from a point rearwardly of the serrations or teeth 34 along the toe portion of the blade to a point adjacent to the heel portion of the blade 22. Each of the transverse slots 38 as is best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises a pair of substantially parallel side walls 40 disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane of the skating edge 36 at that point and intersecting the side faces of the blade 22 and the skating edge 36 forming therewith relatively sharp corners. The upper portions of the side walls 40 are connected by an arcuate surface 41 as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4 the skating edge 36 is provided with a hollow ground or concave surface which is exaggerated in the drawings for the purposes of clarity. The intersections of the concave skating edge 36 with the side edges of the blade 22 form a pair of transversely spaced contact edges 42a, 42b, both of which are disposed in contact with the ice when the blade 22 is vertical and which alternately contact the ice when the blade is tilted as during the execution of an arcuate skating maneuver. The contact edges 42a, 42b, as shown in FIG. 4, can be modified in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the lower side portions of the sides of the blade 22 are provided with an arcuate chamfer 44a, 44b, having a radius .7 of about 1/16 of an inch which also provides satisfactory skating characteristics.

The width, depth, and longitudinal spacing of the transverse slots 38 along the skating edge 36 of the blade 22 is critical in order to achieve the reduced friction characteristics and improved control during execution of artistic maneuvers. By employing transverse slots which are too great in depth, or too wide, or spaced too closely, the surprising low friction characteristics of the ice skate blade comprising the present invention cannot be achieved and in effect the blade is converted into a serrated edge which mechanically engages the ice preventing sliding movement thereof relative to the ice. Accordingly, it is important in order to achieve the benefits of the present invention, to control the size and spacing of the transverse slots 38 within controlled limits, as hereinafter described.

The usable width of the transverse slots 38 ranges from about .O up to about .030 inch and preferably from about .015 to about .020 inch. Widths less than about .010 inch do not appreciably contribute toward improved glide characteristics of the blade, whereas widths exceeding about .030 inch have a tendency to produce mechanical interlock and gouging of the surface of the ice restricting instead of promoting relative gliding movement therebetween. The depth of the transverse slots can range from about .010 inch up to about .030 inch and preferably from about .O inch to about .020 inch. Slot depths in excess of about .030 inch promote mechanical engagement of the slotted blade with the surface of 'the ice restricting relative gliding movement of the blade thereon. On the other hand, slot depths less than about -.O10 inch do not significantly enhance the reduced friction characteristics of the slotted ice skate blade as is vachieved by employing slots having a depth greater than about .010 inch.

The longitudinal spacing of the transverse slots 38 along the skating edge 36 can be varied between a spacing interval of about one slot per inch to intervals as frequent as 6 per linear inch of blade length. lt should also be pointed out that improvements in the gliding characteristics of the ice skate blade on ice are also achieved by providing transverse slots along only a portion of the length thereof such as along the toe portion, or heel portion, or intermediate blade portion disposed between the toe and heel portions depending on the specific skating characteristics desired;

It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the transverse slots 3S which are disposed in substantially equal longitudinally spaced intervals along the skating edge 36 of the blade 2&2 shown in FIG. 2, can also be disposed in longitudinally spaced intervals of varying length in accordance with the spacing along the skating edge 36 of the blade 46 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the transverse slots 38 are disposed in relatively close intervals along the forward and rearward portions of the blade and at greater intervals along the intermediate portion thereof. This is achieved by a progressive increase in the spacing interval of the transverse slots progressing from the toe portion and heel portion toward the midpoint thereof. In each case, however, the spacing yfor `any linear inch of blade length is within the spacing range interval hereinbefore s-et forth, namely, from about 6 slots per inch up to about 1V per inch.

The converse spacing sequence can yalso be employed to achieve any specific desired skating characteristic of the ice skate blade by providing the center portion of the blade with transverse slots at relatively close spaced intervals and the forward and rearward portions thereof with slots at a greater spacing interval. By varying the spacing interval along the length of the blade 22 any desired degree of glide and control characteristics can be imparted to the blade to best adapt it to a specific skating condition. For general use, however, a spacing of the transverse slots 38 at substantially equal longitudinal increments ranging from about 1/2 inch to about 1% inch provides satisfactory improved performance.

Another alternate satisfactory embodiment of the slotted ice skate blade is shown in FIG. 7 wherein a blade 48 is provided with a plurality of the longitudinally spaced transverse slots 38 adjacent to each of which a recess or groove 50 is incorporated in the skating edge thereof having a wedge-shaped configuration as is best seen in FIG. 9 which tapers inwardly toward the side of the transverse slot. The edge of the recess 50' adjacent to the transverse slot 38 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is preferably disposed in communication with the interior of the slot so as to enable passage of any liquid therein to the slot. The recesses 50 as shown in FIG. 7 are positioned forwardly of the transverse slots 38 along the forward portion of the blade 48 and rearwardly thereof along the rearward portion of the blade. This arrangement is predicated on the theory that the forward end portion of the blade is employed during figure skating when the skater skates in a backward skating position and the rearward portion of the blade is employed when the skater is skating in a forward position. Accordingly, the recesses or depressions 50 are positioned so as to be behind the transverse slots 38 depending on the direction of skating and along the appropriate length of blade conventionally employed during such skating direction. ln conventional hockey and racing skates, however, the direction of skating is predominantly forwardly and accordingly in such skates the recesses 50 are preferably all disposed rearwardly of the transverse slots 38 therein.

The total depth of the recesses 50 can range up to about the depth of the transverse slot 38 adjacent thereto.v Each of the recesses 50 is disposed with the longitudinal axis thereof coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the blade. The length of the recesses 50 canrange up to a length less than the spacing interval between the transverse slots 38 along the skating edge thereof and should not interconnect two adjoining slots. The width o-f the recesses 50 should not exceed about one-half the thickness of the blade providing for about one-fourth the width of the blade along each of the sides thereof adjacent to the contact edges of the blade.

Still another alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. l0 wherein one of the recesses or depressions 50 is provided along each side of the transverse slots 38 providing for improved glide characteristics of the blade regardless of the direction of skating. 'In this latter case the ends of the recesses 50 disposed adjacent to each other should not be disposed in communication and, accordingly, the longitudinal lengths thereof should be less than about one-half the space between adjoining ones of the transverse slots 38.

The specific mechanism by which surprisingly superior skating characteristics are achieved by incorporating a plurality of the transverse slots along the skating edge of the ice skate blade is not fully understood. However, it is believed that the transverse slots act as reservoirs of water to provide initial lubrication as the contact edges of the ice skate blade glide forwardly over clear ice providing a lubricating film in advance of the melting of the ice as ya result of the pressure placed thereon at the point of contact of the ice skate blade. Improved control of the ice skate blade during the execution of artistic maneuvers including arcuate and spiral skating patterns is believed attributable to the elimination of side slippage present in conventional skates by the ability to drain and release the wedge action of the water trapped beneath the tilted skating edge through the transverse slots provided in the skating edge thereof during side movement of the blade providing increased engagement with the ice and improved control and balance. The provision of the recesses 50 adjacent to the transverse slots 38 as shown in the drawing, is believed to provide additional reservoirs of liquid for supplying water to the transverse slots for lubricating the contact edges of the skate blade in contact with the surface of the ice.

The slotted ice skate blade comprising the present invention can be manufactured from conventional high carbon steels and preferably from corrosion resistant steels such as stainless and chromium steels. A chromium alloy steel containing from about 16% to about 18% chromium, from about .95% to about 1.20% carbon, and up to about 7.5% molybdenum in addition to small quantities of the conventional impurities has been found particularly satisfactory. Such stainless and corrosion resistant steel alloys retain extremely sharp edges and provide a high luster of the ice skate blade without necessitating electroplating of the surfaces thereof which is necessary with conventional high carbon steels. This latter factor is particularly advantageous since electroplated ice skate blades produced from ordinary steels corrode along the skating edge of the blade which is devoid of an electroplated coating thereover after short use causing a roughening of the surface and a dulling of the edges. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel alloys on the other hand, provides for a retention of a smooth surface Iand sharp edges along the skating edge and the transverse slots therein over comparatively long periods of time even under relatively hard use.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including -a skating edge along the base thereof, at least a portion of said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about one per inch up to about six slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch and a depth ranging from about .O up to about .03() inch.

2. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, at least a portion of said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about l slot per inch up to about 6 slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .015 up to about .020 inch and a depth ranging from about .015 up to about .020 inch.

3. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, said skating edge provided With a plurality of transverse slots therein disposed at substantially equal longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about 1 slot per inch up to about 6 slots per inch along substantially the entire length of said blade, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch and a depth ranging from about .O10` up to about .030 inch.

4. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging up to about 1 slot per inch along the midportion of said blade and disposed in progressively closer spaced intervals toward the forward portion and rearward portion of said blade at a spacing up to about 6 slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .0110 up to about .030 inch and a depth ranging from about .010 up to about .O30 inch.

5. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of said blade and at substantially equal longitudinally spaced intervals of 1 slot per interval ranging from about one-half up to about three-quarters inch of said blade, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .015 up to about .O20 inch and a depth ranging from about .015 up to about .020 inch, each of said slots further characterized as having a pair of spaced sub stantially parallel side walls extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said blade and disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the surface of said skating edge.

6. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, at least a portion of said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about 1 slot per inch up to about 6 slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch and a depth ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch, a Wedge-shaped groove disposed adjacent to each of said slots and positioned centrally of the longitudinal axis of said blade, each of said grooves having a length less than the spacing interval between adjacent ones of said slots and a -width ranging up to about onehalf the Width of said blade, said grooves tapering inwardly toward said slots and having a depth up to the depth of said slots.

7. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, at least a portion of said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about 1 slot per inch up to about 6 slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .010 up to about .O30 inch and a depth ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch, a wedge-shaped groove disposed adjacent to each side of each of said slots and positioned centrally of the longitudinal axis of said skating edge, each of said grooves having a width up to about one-half the width of said blade and a length less than one-half the interval between adjacent ones of said slots, said grooves tapering inwardly toward said slots 4and having a depth up to the depth of said slots.

8. An ice skate blade comprising an elongated blade member including a skating edge along the base thereof, said skating edge provided with a series of transverse slots therein disposed along substantially the entire length of said blade and at longitudinally spaced intervals ranging from about 1 slot per inch up to about 6 slots per inch, each of said slots having a width ranging from about .010 up to aobut .030 inch and a depth ranging from about .010 up to about .030 inch, a wedge-shaped groove disposed forwardly and adjacent to each of said slots along the forward portion of said blade and rearwardly and adjacent to each of said slots along the rearward portion of said blade, each of said grooves having a length less than the spaced interval between adjacent ones of said slots and a width up to about-one-half the width of said blade, said grooves tapering inwardly toward said slots and having a maximum depth up to the depth of said slots.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,181,831 Browne May 2, 1916 1,249,115 Kessler Dec. 4, 1917 1,826,958 Sayer Oct. 13, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 590,356 Germany Jan. 2, 1934 

1. AN ICE SKATE BLADE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BLADE MEMBER INCLUDING A SKATING EDGE ALONG THE BASE THEREOF, AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID SKATING EDGE PROVIDED WITH A SERIES OF TRANSVERSE SLOTS THEREIN DISPOSED AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS RANGING FROM ABOUT ONE PER INCH 